21010588_FR

Electrical Resonance in an Oscillating Electrical Circuit
By Yifeng, Wei
Laboratory Partner: Jinglin, Yu
Department of Physics and Astronomy
University College London
12th November 2023
Abstract
An investigation into the phenomenon known as electrical resonance is conducted by

driving a current in a series C-L-R circuit and measuring amplitude and phase shift
variations at different amounts of resistance. Using this method, value of the resonant
frequency when resistance is around 500Ω is determined to be 25.8 ± 0.06 kHz , and
resonant frequency when resistance is around 1500Ω is found to be 24.1 ± 0.08 kHz.
The results obtained from this experiment are very close to the theoretical values.
Resonant frequency can be found when amplitude is at a maximum. Higher
amplitudes and more drastic phase variations are observed at lower damping
resistance. A value of Q-factor is also determined to investigate the sharpness of the
curve of amplitude against frequency.
Introduction
The aim for this experiment is to measure the effect of damping resistance on a series
C-L-R circuit by observing and recording changes in amplitude and phase variation in
relation to different levels of damping. Response of an oscillating electrical system is
investigated by altering the frequency of the driving stimulus which is measured as a
function of damping. Experiment apparatus is set up as shown in Figure 1:
Figure 1: C-L-R Circuit Design
Resonance occurs when the driving voltage takes the circuit close enough to its
natural frequency. When resonance occurs, amplitude tends to increase to a
maximum. Hence, one way to determine the resonant frequency is to find the
frequency value at which amplitude peaks. The response of the circuit can be
examined by recording frequency at which amplitude is at a maximum and changing
between high and low resistors. Voltage across any component in the circuit can be
used to describe the response of the circuit, in this case, voltage across capacitor is
considered. Voltage drop across the capacitor is measured using the oscilloscope
shown in Figure 1. Theoretical value of the resonant frequency is given by
2
2 2 1 R (Equation 1). Natural frequency with zero resistance is given
ω =(2 πf ) = − 2
LC 2 L
1
by ω 0= (Equation 2).
√ LC
Measuring the phase angle difference between the voltage across capacitor and the
driving voltage is another method to examine the response of the circuit. Phase shift
values can be obtained from the oscilloscope directly. Relation between phase
R
difference and damping and angular frequency is given by tan ( φ )=
(ωL−1 /ωC)
(Equation 3).
In this experiment, the quality factor, Q-factor, is also investigated. Q-factor describes
the sharpness of the curve of voltage across capacitor against frequency, and it is
√
given by Q= 1 L (Equation 4). From the equation, we can assume an inversely
R C
proportional relationship between the value of Q and the amount of damping. Hence,
a higher Q value indicates a lower resistance and less energy loss in the circuit.
Method
A detailed figure that demonstrates how to connect the cables between components on
a breadboard and the oscilloscope is shown below is Figure 2:
Figure 2: Cable Connection

Dotted lines in Figure 2 indicate that the ends of components must align on the
breadboard.
A table demonstrating values of the selected components in the circuit is shown below
in Table 1. All uncertainties of the components are ± 5 %.
Table 1: Table of Values of Components in the C-L-R Circuit
Inductor ~15.51mH
Capacitor ~2210pF
Resistor 1 ~503Ω
Resistor 2 ~1519Ω
Instead of using provided values given on the components, actual values of the
components were measured using equipment to minimize errors that may arise.
Part 1: Amplitude Against Frequency
Set up the circuit according to Figure 1 and 2. The peak-to-peak amplitude on the
oscilloscope around the capacitor is set to be 10V. Use the oscilloscope to take records
of peak-to-peak amplitude variations of the voltage across the capacitor as a function
of frequency. This can be achieved using the “Meas” button on the oscilloscope and
going through the menu. Maximum value of amplitude is found by altering frequency
values. The procedures must be repeated for both resistor 1 (high damping) and 2
(low damping) to determine the effect of resistance on the response of the circuit.
Verify the experimental value to the theoretical value calculated using Equation 1. A
table containing experimental values is shown below in Table 2.
Table 2: Table of Values of Peak-to-peak Amplitude of Voltage Across Capacitor
and Frequency
Peak-to-peak Amplitude 1 Peak-to-peak Amplitude 2 Frequency / kHz
/ V (low damping) / V (high damping)
11.5 11.3 8.0
16.9 14.1 17.0
21.7 15.7 20.0
29.7 16.5 23.0
35.0 16.7 25.0
33.0 15.7 27.0
26.6 14.3 29.0
18.3 11.9 32.0
12.9 9.6 35.0
10.5 8.4 37.0
Part 2: Phase Shift Against Frequency
The “Dual” button should be switched on and zoom in or out on the oscilloscope to
display the waves more clearly on the screen. Set the frequency to the theoretical
value of resonant frequency and alter the value both below and above the theoretical
value. Record the values of phase shift between voltage across the capacitor and the
driving voltage from oscillator as a function of frequency using the oscilloscope to
examine the response of the circuit. The procedures must also be repeated for both
resistor 1 (high damping) and 2 (low damping).
A table containing experimental values is shown below in Table 3:
Table 3: Table of Values of Phase Angle Variations and Frequency
Phase Angle 1 / ° (low Phase Angle 2 / ° (high Frequency / kHz
damping) damping)
2.86 10.27 8.0
12.52 34.11 17.0
24.24 47.29 20.0
42.30 61.52 23.0
70.51 75.41 25.0
102.71 88.28 27.0
126.22 101.29 29.0
144.20 116.50 32.0
154.30 130.10 35.0
160.70 136.80 37.0
Results and Analysis
Graph 1below demonstrates plotted data points of amplitude in volts against angular
frequency ω .
Graph 1: Amplitude of Voltage Across Capacitor Against Frequency
Maximum values for amplitudes for both resistors can be located on the graph as well
as the corresponding frequency value.
Experimental values agree with the predicted values to a great extent with only minor
differences. For the smaller resistance of approximately 503Ω , the peak amplitude
appears at around 16.2 ×104 rad −1, which is about 2 5.8 ±0.0 6 kHz. For the larger
resistance of approximately 1519Ω , the peak value appears at around 15.1 ×104 rad −1,
which is about 2 4.1 ± 0.08 kHz . The theoretical natural frequency calculated using
Equation 1 and 2 is approximately 6 −1 .

ω 0=( 0.1 7 ± 0.03 ) × 10 rad
The experimental value obtained from the graph is very close to the predicted value
calculated using Equation 1. As the results indicate, amplitude of voltage with small
resistance is significantly higher than that of large resistance, which is in accordance
with the theory that amount of damping is proportional to value of resistance.
Graph 2: Phase Angle Against Frequency
Graph 2 illustrates how relative phase angles for both different levels of damping vary
as frequency is being increased.
We can see that the two lines intersect when ω is about 16. 9 ×104 rad −1 and at an
angle of approximately φ=π /2. The data quantitatively agrees with the original
theory, so it can be assumed that experimental error was kept low enough.
The Q-factor in this experiment is also investigated. For small resistance, Q value is
calculated to be Q1=5.3 ± 0.0 3. For large resistance, Q value is calculated to be
. Both values agree with theoretical predictions. We can see that ,

Q2=5.5 ± 0.04 Q2 >Q1
this also agrees with the theory that Q should be larger and more accurate for higher
damping. Components in the circuit are built with resistive materials, so there is a
very small amount of resistance that was not taken into account during the
experiment. When damping from the resistor is high enough, the resistance that is not
accounted for becomes a significantly small portion of a relatively large overall
resistance.
Conclusion
In this experiment, it is evident that the amount of damping in the circuit is directly
dependent on the amount of resistance. As frequency gets close to the natural
frequency of the circuit, resonance occurs and amplitude of voltage across
components in the circuit begins to increase dramatically.
Minor differences between experimental results and theoretical values can be found
due to “hidden resistance” in the circuit. Components in the circuit and even cables
are built with resistive materials, hence these components have inherent resistance
that has not been taken into account in this experiment. I would suggest considering
and determining the true value of the “hidden resistance” if this experiment was to be
repeated or further investigated.
Another possible source of error is human error. When recording relative phase angle
variations from the oscilloscope at different frequencies, the numbers shown on the
screen were fluctuating continuously and rapidly. Degree of fluctuation seemed to be
more prominent when frequency was set below the resonant frequency. The only way
was to capture estimated figures with naked eye. The same general pattern as
predicted by theory still emerged in this experiment, although accuracy of data figures
could be improved by repeating the procedures more times. Uncertainty of data
results can also be reduced using certain python codes to calculate error bar.
References
1. Sobot, R. (2012). Electrical Resonance. In: Wireless Communication Electronics.

Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-1117-8_5.
2. Ferruccio Renzoni and Paul Bartlett, Experiment script E7, “Study of an
Oscillating Electrical System Driven into Resonance”, UCL Department of
Physics and Astronomy, University College London.
3. Pointon, A.J., Howarth, H.M. (1991). Electrical resonance. In: AC and DC
Network Theory. Physics and its Applications. Springer, Dordrecht.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3142-1_7.
4. R. Guilizzoni, J. C. Watson, P. A. Bartlett and F. Renzoni, “Penetrating power of
resonant electromagnetic induction imaging”, AIP Advances 6, 095017 (2016).
5. Boel Ekergård, Cecilia Boström, Anders Hagnestål, Rafael Waters, Mats Leijon,
“Experimental results from a linear wave power generator connected to a
resonance circuit”, WIREs Energy and Environment, volume 2, issue 4, July 2012.
https://doi.org/10.1002/wene.19.

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Electrical Resonance in an Oscillating Electrical Circuit

Laboratory Partner: Jinglin, Yu

Department of Physics and Astronomy

University College London

12th November 2023

An investigation into the phenomenon known as electrical resonance is conducted by

Figure 2: Cable Connection

Results and Analysis

Equation 1 and 2 is approximately 6 −1 .

. Both values agree with theoretical predictions. We can see that ,

1. Sobot, R. (2012). Electrical Resonance. In: Wireless Communication Electronics.

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